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Justice for Our Neighbors Depends on the Whole Church Community

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A successful lunch during the Iowa Annual Conference gathered supporters of Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors and members and friends of the Conference Board of Global Ministries. A record crowd of 100 folks came to Trinity United Methodist Church where Las Americas Comunidad de Fe and Amor y Paz members prepared some excellent Latino fare. Many thank-you’s to all of the JFON volunteers who helped with the food preparation, the serving, the program and the clean-up.

Two JFON attorneys spoke about their work as Ann Naffier was introduced to the group for the first time. Then Brynne Howard, our Church and Community Worker attorney, spoke in appreciation of Rev. Kathleen Clark’s support of JFON over the years. Rev. Clark was honored for her service as Mission Personnel Secretary. Another speaker came from out-of-state: Charissa Sharcross, Mission Interpreter for the North Central Jurisdiction reminded us of the accomplishments and opportunities for mission in the United Methodist Church. Frank Camp chairperson urged everyone to support the Dollar for Dollar challenge of National Justice for Our Neighbors, which begins July 1. At right: Brynne Howard, Mary Morris and Kathleen Clark.

Another highlight of the Iowa Annual Conference was the awarding of the Bishop James S. Thomas Leadership Award to Doris Knight, who has volunteered with JFON for 15 years as the executive director and now as the financial secretary. A second highlight was collection of a contribution to the work of JFON taken up during the conference program. During the collection the video of young people positively affected by DACA, (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was shown. This was filmed by Jon Krieg of the American Friends Service Committee. In many ways the annual conference showed the support of the church community to the mission of Justice for Our Neighbors here in Iowa. Shown here at right: Center and to her left-Amparo and her son, along with Enna Aguilar to the right.